Belize: Things To Do

Actun Loch Tunich Get a major adrenaline fix rappelling 300 feet down into the mouth of this colossal cavern/sinkhole and exploring the rainforest, river and caves on the floor below. Green Dragon runs excellent tours. Green Dragon Adventure Travel, The Interior; 501-822-2124; www.greendragonbelize.com
outdoors | adventure | rainforest

Bermudian Landing Community Baboon Sanctuary See (and certainly hear!) plenty of Black Howler monkeys and their eerie, air-raid siren roar as they frolic through the towering trees surrounding this Creole settlement on the banks of the Belize River. The Interior; The Interior; 501-220-2181; www.howlermonkeys.org
family | wildlife

Explore Belize City A clocktower-topped courthouse, the Anglican cathedral where kings of the Mosquito Coast were crowned, and the Museum of Belize – once a colonial prison, now home to artifacts like Mayan pottery – demonstrate this city’s pirate-capital and British-outpost past. Belize City; Belize City; www.travelbelize.org/bc.html
family | culture | history | art

Jaguar Paw Tubing on an underground river, horseback riding through the jungle, and zip-lining through the rainforest canopy are just three of the eco-adventures offered by this cozy 200-acre, 16-room lodge in Belize’s interior. The Interior; The Interior; 501-820-2023; www.jaguarpaw.com
family | hotel | moderate | outdoors | sports

Mayan temples Explore enchanting Mayan temples like Caracol and Xuntanunich with tour operator Lamani (they also offer opportunities to spot tropical wildlife like feisty Morelet’s crocodiles by nighttime boat safari). The Interior, Lamani; 888-733-7864; www.lamanai.com
culture | wildlife | outdoors | history

Saltwater fly fishing Permit and bonefish can be found on Belize’s offshore. Combine that with tarpon and snook-filled rivers and you'll see why Belize is such a premier destination for serious fishermen. Angle for action with a tour operator like Belize Flats Fishing. The Coast; Belize Flats Fishing; 501-226-2799 (Oct 26-June 16); www.belizeflatsfishing.com
outdoors | fishing | sports

Scuba Diving Belize’s 185-mile-long reef and surrounding atolls offer scores of mind-blowing dive sites, including the famous Blue Hole, a perfect, 480-foot-deep circle of cobalt-blue water. March through June swim alongside whale sharks, the world’s largest fish. The Cayes; The Cayes; 501-226-2822; www.scubadivingbelize.com
diving | wildlife | smart splurge | coral reef

Tikal Temples Belize is the main gateway for the Mayan temples of Tikal in neighboring Guatemala – they're so otherworldly that they were used as a location in Star Wars! Green Dragon runs tours. Green Dragon Adventure Travel; 501-822-2124; www.greendragonbelize.com
family | architecture | culture | history